Dress Code/Uniform Policy: Policy statement

Transcription

1 Dress Code/Uniform Policy: Policy statement Prepared by: Uniform/Dress Code Working Group Occupational Health & Safety Services Distributed: June 2012 Review Date: July 2014 Distribution Arrangements: HR Policy manual Note: Amendments added following publication of CEL 53 (2008). This is an interim measure agreed by NHS Borders Policy Agreement Group pending introduction of a national uniform. Amendments in December 2011 to update Infection Control Section

2 Contents Page 1 Introduction. 3 2 Purpose & scope 3 3 Principles 3 4 Organisation 4 5 Dress code 5 6 Infection control 5 7 Ordering uniforms 6 8 Implementing & monitoring 6 2

3 1 Introduction An important aspect of providing health care is the confidence of the service users in our ability to deliver exemplar services in a professional manner. It is recognised that the appearance and standards of dress adopted by staff are an influencing factor on this confidence. There is a collective and individual responsibility to represent NHS Borders in a positive way to the community we serve and to instill confidence in the service we provide. The Policy aims to outline standards through which the organisation and staff members may uphold the professional image of the service within the community. Uniform and dress also forms an integral part of risk controls for health and safety purposes; moving & handling, infection control, controls for violence and aggression. This policy forms the good practice guidelines to ensure legal compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and all associated Regulations/Acts. 2 Purpose and scope The Policy and dress codes incorporate the recognition that: While all staff groups in all disciplines may not have to wear a uniform the presentation of staff to project a professional image and to be safe applies to everyone. Staff may be required to wear a uniform as part of the protective equipment, which acts as a barrier to, and protection from, substances such as body fluids. Uniforms/dress codes must not hinder moving and handling requirements and may act as a barrier against the rigors of handling objects and patients. The Policy is supplemented by Dress Codes applicable within each discipline, these dress codes form part of the risk controls necessary to reduce identified risks to an acceptable level. Staff working in each area must comply with the applicable dress codes. In certain areas the wearing of uniform is to provide corporate identity. This policy and all associated dress codes will be applied on an equitable basis. Personal appearance is important. 3 Principles These Policy principles apply to all staff members, those provided with uniform and those who wear their own clothing. Further to this policy staff should refer to their own local dress code for guidance on their presentation. Staff must dress in a manner which is sensitive to the social, cultural and diversity and equality needs of other staff, patients and carers/visitors Staff not issued with uniform must ensure their clothing is suitable for the type of environment and activities they are expected to undertake during the course of their work. They must ensure that their attire does not present difficulties in relation to health and safety: moving & handling, personal protective clothing, security. 3

4 It is important that staff maintain a high level of personal hygiene presenting a clean, neat and tidy appearance at work. Hair tied back when appropriate, hands and nails clean, nail varnish only when undertaking administrative duties-clinical staff & food handlers must not wear nail varnish unless as an exception agreed with Infection Control Team. Jewellery, if worn, should be consistent with health and safety, infection control and professional standards for the local area. Jewellery type should reflect the potential risks associated with working in that area; no hoop earrings, long neck chains etc in areas where aggressive behaviours could be displayed or when providing patient care. (Please refer to Section 6 of this Policy) It is important, so as not to offend or put oneself at personal risk, body piercings should be appropriate to your local area and duties. Tattoos should be covered where practicable (Please also refer to Section 6 of this Policy) Items of clothing should not be worn which would be reasonably considered to be revealing, offensive or provocative to service users, carers, colleagues or members of the public. Uniforms issued are worn in accordance to infection control guidelines (please refer to Section 6 and The Infection Control Manual) Staff should not carry pens or scissors in outside breast pockets Name badges should be worn in line with local dress codes and security arrangements. Pregnancy NHS Borders will provide uniform users with the appropriate maternity wear for staff in that area. Footwear should be sensible and comply with local conditions for safety 4 Organisation NHS Borders as an employer has responsibilities to: Ensure where appropriate that staff are provided with uniform and protective wear. That there is provision for the laundering of uniforms. A sufficient number of uniforms are issued to allow for efficient laundering to take place. Ensure that any clothing provided is fit for purpose and is replaced when required. Delegate to Line Managers the responsibility to ensure adherence with this Policy and the local dress codes. Provide when required changing facilities. Line Managers have a responsibility to: Where appropriate, develop a local dress code, in consultation with local staff, that reflects the principles of this policy and is available to local staff. Ensure Policy/dress codes are communicated at local induction and are readily accessible to all members of staff. Ensure staff comply with policy and local dress codes. Delegate responsibility appropriately to aide compliance to policy and dress code. 4

5 Staff members have responsibility to: Ensure that where uniforms are provided, they are clean, in good condition and worn in full. Not wear uniforms off duty. Bring to the attention of the appropriate line manager any defect in a uniform in order that it may be changed/repaired. Wear appropriate clothing when a uniform is not provided. Bearing in mind the type of work undertaken and any health and safety requirements. Take reasonable care of uniforms provided. Follow the uniform policy and dress codes. Ensure their appearance is appropriate for the area of work. Act in a manner so as not to endanger themselves or others during the course of their work. 5 Dress codes All local dress codes will be considered as policy for that area and will be implemented as such. 6 Infection control All staff should have access to the correct amount of uniforms so that the uniforms can be laundered at the central Laundry Department, BGH. Generally, uniforms should not be laundered at home. If staff perceive they have any skin problems in relation to uniforms, they must report to their line manager and be referred to the Occupational Health Department. The official uniform must be worn at all times when on duty and should not be worn outside the hospital, unless the member of staff is on official duty; clinical uniforms must not be worn when travelling to and from work. Changing facilities should be provided to enable staff to change before going home. Uniforms for designated areas, e.g. operating theatres, must not be worn out with these areas unless due to clinical necessity in which case the uniform will be changed on return to that area. Any staff entering a clinical area must be bare below the elbow and white coats or neck ties must not be worn For the purpose of this policy, a clinical area is defined as any location where service users receive direct physical care. In inpatient wards, the whole ward is designated as a clinical area. Designated patient waiting areas are not classified as clinical areas. Hair should be clean and tidy. Staff delivering direct patient care should wear their hair off the collar. Nails should be short and well manicured. False nails or nail varnish must not be worn by staff when delivering direct patient care or handling food Jewellery Hand, Wrist and Neck In clinical areas all staff must be bare below the elbow (one plain metal finger band is allowed). 5

6 Wrist watches and necklaces are not permitted in clinical areas Piercings Only one plain stud earring per ear can be worn in clinical areas Tattoos new tattoos must be covered until the skin has healed. Any healed tattoos below the elbows must be exposed to enable effective hand hygiene Footwear In clinical areas, footwear must be clean, soft-soled with enclosed toes and enclosed heels or a heel strap. (for further information, please refer to the Footwear Guidance- Additional clothing such as cardigans and fleeces must not be worn by staff when delivering direct patient care 7 Ordering of uniforms All requests for uniforms, should be sent to the Sewing Room, Borders General Hospital, using a measurement form (Form No. B352). These forms are available from Area Stores. Supplies Department will purchase uniforms from approved Suppliers. Uniform brochures can be obtained from Supplies Department if required. 8 Implementing & monitoring The Policy and dress code will be implemented through the line management system. Monitoring of compliance will be at local level. The Policy will form part of the arrangements under HR Policies and Occupational Health and Safety Policy. The OHS Policy section 4 will govern part of the monitoring process when health and safety applies. This policy is part of the terms and conditions of your employment and, therefore, forms part of your contract of employment with NHS Borders. Persistent non-compliance with the policy may be dealt with under the agreed Disciplinary Policy. 6